Gen Z Craves Café Vibes With No Starbucks Tab

Gen Z is realizing that they don't need to go to Starbucks to have those cozy café vibes. Instead, they are creating more affordable alternatives at home.

The trend started on TikTok with influencers, including Abigail Orfino and Marlene Rodriguez, according to the New York Post. In February, Rodriguez shared a video of herself making a tantalizing-looking iced coffee in her own kitchen. She told her followers, "Reminder to make your coffee at home tomorrow morning and save those $7." They aren't just filming their java recipes; the social media content goes for the full coffeehouse experience.

Orfino created an entire space in her home with a table that is work-friendly and dog-friendly for her pups that play at her feet. Other influencers go all-out, hosting friends at their pretend cafe, dressing as baristas, and serving pastries.

@marlenerodriguezoficial

Now that I no longer buy from Starbucks; I’ve been making my coffee at home and let me tell you, you sure do save money 🤎🎀 #coffee #icedcoffee #strawberrycoldfoam #coffeetiktok #coffeeathome

♬ congratulations by mac miller - Hannah🎹

In August 2024, The Wall Street Journal noted that Gen Z's rejection of the Starbucks experience started with the increasing prices, but continued with the company's perceived pushback on unionizing stores and their stance on the Israel-Hamas war.

"Starbucks likes to say they don't consider us employees, they consider us 'partners', but we have no power in that partnership," Starbucks Workers United member Jaz Brisack told the BBC in 2021. "But if we can build actual worker power for baristas, then we can change not just Starbucks and make it the best it can be but help make the whole services industry better."

With White House tariffs likely sending the price of coffee skyrocketing in the near future, Gen Z isn't likely to return to Starbucks anytime soon. 

Related: Starbucks Serves Up a New Look This May

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Published on April 20, 2025 16:24
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